Apocynin prevented inflammation and oxidative stress in carbon tetra chloride induced hepatic dysfunction in rats

Liver fibrosis is a leading pathway to cirrhosis and a global clinical issue. Oxidative stress mediated tissue damage is one of the prime causes of hepatic dysfunction and fibrosis. Apocynin is one of many strong antioxidants.

To evaluate the effect of apocynin in the CCl₄ administered hepatic dysfunction in rats.

Female Long Evans rats were administered with CCl₄ orally (1mL/kg) twice a week for 2 weeks and were treated with apocynin (100mg/kg). Both plasma and liver tissues were analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase activities. Oxidative stress parameters were also measured by determining malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase (MPO), advanced protein oxidation product (APOP). In addition, antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in plasma and liver tissues were analyzed. Moreover, inflammation and tissue fibrosis were confirmed by histological staining of liver tissue sections.

Apocynin significantly reduced serum AST, ALT, and ALP activities in carbon tetrachloride treated rats. It also exhibited a considerable reduction of the oxidative stress markers (MDA, MPO, NO, and APOP level) which was elevated due to CCl₄ administration in rats. Apocynin treatment also restored the catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in CCl₄ treated rats. Histological analysis of liver sections revealed that apocynin prevented inflammatory cells infiltration and fibrosis in CCl₄ administered rats.

These results suggest that apocynin protects liver damage induced by CCl₄ by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and stimulating the cellular antioxidant system.